A small town, life-long friends, a boy, a girl, one night and some secrets.
Lukas Summers has it all: good looks, talent, intelligence, and the charm to match-well maybe not the charm, but he has everything else. He's got one more year in the middl...
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Feelings of discomfort and unease had settled in the pit of Adalia's stomach as she walked down the dilapidated sidewalk. With each step taken she neared the corner of Ashford and Hanson, where an old building sat facing the quaint and well-kept town square. Its white brick looked as though it had seen better days, the paint chipping off in some places, and a nice sized parking lot sat to the right. One large glass window sat on the front wall of the building, with the words Marie's Meats and Market written across it in large red block letters. It was an old building, having passed its prime years ago, but that is what Adalia loved about it. Its age gave it character and that just added to its beauty. Adalia let out a heavy sigh and shook her head. Now was not the time to admire the market; she could do that some other time. Now was the time to do the thing she had been dreading the most. Now was the time to get yet another job.
The soft ring of a bell echoed through the pristine store. Stands filled with fresh looking produce took up space near the glass door. Behind it, seven aisles, all containing typical grocery products, covered the back of the store. Adalia walked past the entryway and looked down at the shining white tile floor. She hadn't been inside Marie's for quite some time. Everything still looked the same, so that was one thing.
Moving further into the market, Adalia's pulse began to quicken and her unease grew. This was a mistake, she thought. I'm not sure I can stand working with him. Just as soon as those thoughts entered her mind she pushed them away, for she needed this job. She had to have it and no boy, no person, was going to stop her from receiving this income. Adalia willed herself to stop being pathetic.
Not knowing how long she just stood there, or how odd she might have looked to the patrons, Adalia approached the deli counter. Its glass covering shone brightly in the lights overhead; its contents coming through the spotless case. She looked down at the assortment of raw meat at home behind the chilled counter. A small twinge of discomfort passed through Adalia as she got closer. This is really happening. I should just ring this bell and get this over with. The thought flew through her mind as she reached out and softly tapped the bell on the counter. Its ring carried through the quiet store, but nothing happened. No one came to greet or speak to Adalia. As the minutes passed by, her discomfort grew, along with frustration. Once more, she reached out and tapped the bell, its soft ring moving through the store yet again. Still, Adalia was left standing alone awkwardly in front of the deli counter. What little patience she possessed was fading away quickly. Twice she had rung that useless service bell and there had yet to be any service given to her.
A very audible groan escaped her as she pushed a hand through her thick auburn hair in frustration. She rocked back and forth on the heels of her worn-out running shoes, debating whether to ring that damn bell once more or to just leave. Letting out yet another groan, she tapped the bell with considerably more force than before. She turned her back so she was leaning against the deli counter just slightly; her focus now on the produce section and not the door leading into the back of the store where surely there had to be at least one employee.
"I better get this goddamn job," she mumbled under her breath as she pinched the bridge of her nose, wishing away the headache that was starting to form.
"Well, Miss Meziere, seeing as you have been the only one to express interest, I'd say this here job is pretty much yours." A gravelly voice spoke from behind her. She spun around at the words. She could feel the heat rise in her cheeks as she looked at the older man now in front of her.
"Mr. Summers," The surprise in her tone was not nearly as noticeable as the embarrassment, "I-I'm sorry. I-uh-I didn't realize you could hear me." Her cheeks flamed even brighter as Mr. Summers just grinned, flashing his slightly tobacco-stained teeth. It was filled with humor and lit up the entirety of his face. Edmond Summers had one of those smiles that could light up the darkest of rooms. They were as large as his personality and were only ever genuine.
"Now Miss Meziere, I know I'm old, but that don' mean I'm deaf." His voice had this slight country twang, though he had only ever lived in the Midwest. Adalia smiled at him despite her embarrassment at having been heard.
"So about this job," Mr. Summers continued, his warm chocolate eyes shining kindly.
